In MATC, the function of the Alerter is similar to which system?

The Alerter system in MATC (Moving Authority Train Control) serves mainly as a safety feature that monitors the attention of the train engineer, ensuring that they remain engaged and responsive while operating the train. This function closely resembles the pre-ATC train operations, where the engineer had the responsibility to actively manage the train's movement and respond to various operational conditions without automated oversight.

In pre-ATC operations, train engineers had to rely heavily on their situational awareness and attention to maintain safe operations, much like the Alerter prompts the engineer to remain vigilant. The Alerter system provides alerts and prompts that are designed to detect if the engineer reacts appropriately to warnings or situations that arise during train operation. If the engineer fails to respond, the Alerter can initiate a series of escalating warnings, eventually leading to an emergency stop if necessary.

Other choices, such as the emergency stop system, signaling system, or communication protocol, serve different functions that are not directly related to monitoring the engineer's attention and engagement. The emergency stop is focused on stopping the train in critical situations, signaling systems communicate track conditions and operational status, and the communication protocol oversees how information is transmitted between systems and crew members. These systems are crucial for rail operations but